“Land and soils constitute the foundation for sustainable agricultural development, essential ecosystem functions, and food security,” according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). “They are key to sustaining life on Earth.”

“We must link the health of people with the health of the planet, and we can only ensure long-term food security if our food systems don’t destroy the basis of food production,” says Alexander Müller, study leader for The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for Agriculture & Food (TEEBAgriFood).

Dr. Jes Weiglet, shares his thoughts on the role of the TEEBAgriFood framework in the creation of a common language in the agriculture system. He shows the hidden health care and environmental costs of cheap food, and how a collaborative effort can help realize the true cost of cheap food.

Dr. Gunars Platais discusses the complexity of economics in the food system. He shows how every decision in the food system has both intended and unintended consequences and that an integrated approach can increase public interest in the food system.

Dr. Haripriya Gundimeda, the President of the International Urban Biodiversity Network and chapter author of new report discusses the shifting methods in the food system, and their impacts on food quality and both human and planetary health.